Liquid crystal display device and manufacturing method thereof

ABSTRACT

A liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate which are disposed to face each other with liquid crystal interposed therebetween and a sealing material which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to seal the liquid crystal, wherein a side surface of the liquid crystal display device has a cut surface, and a first resin layer which is formed along the sealing material and has a height less than a gap between the first substrate and the second substrate in a display region and the sealing material are exposed at the cut surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority from Japanese application JP2009-224179 filed on Sep. 29, 2009, the content of which is herebyincorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device and amanufacturing method thereof, and more particularly to a liquid crystaldisplay device with a narrow frame structure and a manufacturing methodthereof.

2. Description of the Related Art

In a liquid crystal display device, a pair of substrates (hereinafterrespectively referred to as a first substrate and a second substrate)which are disposed to face each other with liquid crystal interposedtherebetween and a sealing material which is formed between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate to seal the liquid crystal constitutean envelope. A region surrounded by the sealing material serves as adisplay region. The display region includes a number of pixels arrangedin a matrix.

In the manufacture of the liquid crystal display device, a pair ofso-called multi-piece substrates in which the display region isfabricated are bonded together by the sealing material and thereaftercut to be separated into a plurality of liquid crystal cells(corresponding to the envelopes).

In this case, the pair of multi-piece substrates are cut alongsubstantially the center of a region where the sealing material isformed, that is, they are cut such that the sealing material is dividedinto right and left parts in adjacent liquid crystal cells. Therefore,the distance between the cut surface of the substrates and the displayregion can be reduced in each of the liquid crystal cells, whichprovides a liquid crystal display device with a narrow frame.

In the thus configured liquid crystal display device, side surfaces ofthe first substrate and the second substrate have a portion which isconfigured of a cut surface formed by collectively cutting the firstsubstrate and the second substrate along the portion where the sealingmaterial is formed.

Examples of related art document of the invention includeJP-A-2007-212667 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 7,630,050) andJP-A-2006-30439. JP-A-2007-212667 describes a liquid crystal displaypanel in which a weir is disposed in a forming region of a sealingmaterial formed at a distance from a side surface of a substrate, andthe so-called intrusion of liquid crystal is prevented by the weir.JP-A-2006-30439 describes the manufacture of a liquid crystal displaydevice in which a pair of multi-piece substrates are bonded together viaa sealing material, and the pair of multi-piece substrates arecollectively cut along substantially the center of the sealing material.In the manufacture, a narrow resin layer is previously disposed atsubstantially the center of the sealing material, and the pair ofmulti-piece substrates are collectively cut along substantially thecenter of the resin layer. The resin layer in this case is formed in astate where the top thereof abuts on the other multi-piece substrate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the above-described liquid crystal display device with a narrowframe structure is configured such that the sealing material occupiesand is exposed in most of the area between the first substrate and thesecond substrate at a surface where the first substrate and the secondsubstrate are collectively cut.

In some cases, therefore, the intrusion of moisture cannot besufficiently blocked at the cut surface by only the sealing material.Accordingly, it is desired to avoid the intrusion of moisture as much aspossible by a more elaborate configuration.

In this case, the liquid crystal display device shown in JP-A-2006-30439is configured such that the resin material occupies and is exposed inmost of the area between the first substrate and the second substrate atthe surface where the first substrate and the second substrate arecollectively cut. Since a resin material has greater moisture resistancethan a sealing material, the intrusion of moisture can be reliablyprevented. However, when the first substrate and the second substrateare formed by collectively cutting the multi-piece substrates, the resinlayer harder than the sealing material impairs the cutting workabilityof the multi-piece substrates.

In the above-described liquid crystal display device with the narrowframe structure, when the sealing material is formed by applying on themulti-piece substrate, there arises a disadvantage in that the sealingmaterial flows into the display region because the sealing material isformed in a pattern which surrounds the display region in each liquidcrystal cell.

It is an object of the invention to provide a liquid crystal displaydevice with a narrow frame structure which is configured by cuttingmulti-piece substrates and in which the cutting performance for themulti-piece substrates is improved and an advantage of preventingmoisture intrusion at a cut surface is provided, and a manufacturingmethod of the liquid crystal display device.

In addition to the above-described object, it is another object of theinvention to provide a liquid crystal display device in which flowing ofa sealing material into a display region is prevented, and amanufacturing method of the liquid crystal display device.

For example, the liquid crystal display device of the invention isconfigured such that a resin material and a sealing material, forexample, are exposed in layers at the same rate between a firstsubstrate and a second substrate at a surface where the first substrateand the second substrate are collectively cut.

The invention can be configured as follows, for example.

(1) A liquid crystal display device of the invention includes: a firstsubstrate and a second substrate which are disposed to face each otherwith liquid crystal interposed therebetween; and a sealing materialwhich is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrateto seal the liquid crystal, the first substrate and the second substratehaving side surfaces including a cut surface formed by cutting the firstsubstrate and the second substrate along a portion where the sealingmaterial is disposed, wherein a first resin layer is provided along thesealing material in a region where the sealing material is disposed onthe first substrate or the second substrate, the first resin layer has aheight less than a gap between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate in a display region, and the first resin layer and the sealingmaterial are exposed at the surface where the first substrate and thesecond substrate are cut.

(2) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(1), the liquid crystal display device further includes a columnarspacer in the display region surrounded by the sealing material, whereinthe columnar spacer is formed on the second substrate side, and thefirst resin layer is formed on the second substrate side and formed ofthe same material as that of the columnar spacer.

(3) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(1), a second resin layer is formed apart from the first resin layer onthe display region side of the region where the sealing material isdisposed, and the second resin layer has a height greater than that ofthe first resin layer.

(4) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(3), the columnar spacer is formed on the second substrate side, and thefirst resin layer and the second resin layer are formed on the secondsubstrate side and formed of the same material as that of the columnarspacer.

(5) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(4), the second resin layer has a height greater than that of the firstresin layer due to an intervening layer formed between the second resinlayer and the second substrate.

(6) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(1), a second resin layer is formed close or adjacent to the first resinlayer in the region where the sealing material is disposed, and thesecond resin layer has a height greater than that of the first resinlayer and has a plurality of openings formed in parallel when viewed ina plane.

(7) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(6), the columnar spacer is formed on the second substrate side, and thefirst resin layer and the second resin layer are formed on the secondsubstrate side and formed of the same material as that of the columnarspacer.

(8) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(7), the second resin layer has a height greater than that of the firstresin layer due to an intervening layer formed between the second resinlayer and the second substrate.

(9) A liquid crystal display device of the invention includes: a firstsubstrate and a second substrate which are disposed to face each otherwith liquid crystal interposed therebetween; and a sealing materialwhich is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrateto seal the liquid crystal, the first substrate and the second substratehaving side surfaces including a portion configured of a cut surfaceformed by cutting the first substrate and the second substrate along aportion where the sealing material is disposed, wherein first resinlayers which are discontinuously formed in parallel along the sealingmaterial are provided in the region where the sealing material isdisposed on the first substrate or the second substrate, and the firstresin layer and the sealing material are exposed at the cut surface ofthe first substrate and the second substrate.

(10) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(9), the liquid crystal display device further includes a columnarspacer in a display region surrounded by the sealing material, whereinthe columnar spacer is formed on the second substrate side, and thefirst resin layer is formed on the second substrate side and formed ofthe same material as that of the columnar spacer.

(11) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(9), a second resin layer is formed apart from the first resin layer onthe display region side of the region where the sealing material isdisposed, and the second resin layer has a height greater than that ofthe first resin layer.

(12) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(11), the columnar spacer is formed on the second substrate side, andthe first resin layer and the second resin layer are formed on thesecond substrate side and formed of the same material as that of thecolumnar spacer.

(13) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(12), the second resin layer has a height greater than that of the firstresin layer due to an intervening layer formed between the second resinlayer and the second substrate.

(14) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(9), a second resin layer is formed close or adjacent to the first resinlayer in the region where the sealing material is disposed, and thesecond resin layer has a height greater than that of the first resinlayer and has a plurality of openings formed in parallel when viewed ina plane.

(15) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(14), the columnar spacer is formed on the second substrate side, andthe first resin layer and the second resin layer are formed on thesecond substrate side and formed of the same material as that of thecolumnar spacer.

(16) According to the liquid crystal display device of the invention, in(15), the second resin layer has a height greater than that of the firstresin layer due to an intervening layer formed between the second resinlayer and the second substrate.

(17) A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device of theinvention includes: applying a sealing material in a pattern which iscontinuous and closed on a surface of a first multi-piece substrate;bonding a second multi-piece substrate to the first multi-piecesubstrate with a gap via the sealing material; and forming a liquidcrystal cell by at least collectively cutting the first multi-piecesubstrate and the second multi-piece substrate along the sealingmaterial in a forming region of the sealing material, wherein a resinlayer having a height less than the gap is formed at the cuttingposition in the forming region of the sealing material on at least oneof the first multi-piece substrate and the second multi-piece substratebefore applying the sealing material.

(18) A manufacturing method of a liquid crystal display device of theinvention includes: applying a sealing material in a pattern which iscontinuous and closed on a surface of a first multi-piece substrate;bonding a second multi-piece substrate to the first multi-piecesubstrate so as to face each other via the sealing material; and forminga liquid crystal cell by at least collectively cutting the firstmulti-piece substrate and the second multi-piece substrate along thesealing material in a forming region of the sealing material, wherein aplurality of discontinuous resin layers are formed along the cuttingposition at the cutting position in the forming region of the sealingmaterial on at least one of the first multi-piece substrate and thesecond multi-piece substrate before applying the sealing material.

The above-described configurations are illustrative only, and theinvention can be modified appropriately within a range not departingfrom the technical idea thereof. Exemplary configurations of theinvention other than the above-described configurations will be apparentfrom the entire description of the specification and the drawings.

According to the thus configured liquid crystal display device and themanufacturing method thereof, it is possible to obtain a narrow framestructure which is configured by cutting the multi-piece substrates, andin which the cutting performance for the multi-piece substrates isimproved and an advantage of preventing moisture intrusion at a cutsurface is provided.

Other advantages of the invention will be apparent from the entiredescription of the specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B are configuration views of a main part showing a firstembodiment of a liquid crystal display device of the invention, whichare enlarged views of a dotted circle portion Q in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic configuration views showing the firstembodiment of the liquid crystal display device of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a manufacturing method of a liquid crystaldisplay device of the invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are configuration views of a main part showing a secondembodiment of a liquid crystal display device of the invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are configuration views of a main part showing a thirdembodiment of a liquid crystal display device of the invention.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are configuration views of a main part showing a fourthembodiment of a liquid crystal display device of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to thedrawings. In the drawings and embodiments, the same reference numeralsand signs are assigned to the same or similar constituent elements, andthe description thereof is omitted.

First Embodiment

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic configuration views showing a firstembodiment of a liquid crystal display device of the invention. FIG. 2Ais a plan view, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along lineSC-SC of FIG. 2A.

In FIGS. 2A and 2B, a substrate SUB1 and a substrate SUB2 which aredisposed to face each other with liquid crystal LC interposedtherebetween are shown. The substrate SUB2 faces the substrate SUB1 soas to expose a part of the substrate SUB1 on the lower side in thedrawing and has a smaller area than that of the substrate SUB1. Asemiconductor device (chip) SEC is mounted on the part of the substrateSUB1 on the lower side in the drawing. The semiconductor device SECdrives each pixel in a later-described display region (display part) AR.

At the periphery of the substrate SUB2, a sealing material SL isdisposed between the substrate SUB1 and the substrate SUB2. Thesubstrate SUB1 and the substrate SUB2 are fixed to each other by thesealing material SL. Moreover, the sealing material SL seals the liquidcrystal LC interposed between the substrate SUB1 and the substrate SUB2.In FIG. 2A, an opening ET is disposed at a part of the sealing materialSL, and a sealant ECL for closing the opening ET is formed. This isbecause a so-called liquid crystal filling method is employed when theliquid crystal is sealed between the substrate SUB1 and the substrateSUB2. When a liquid crystal dropping method is employed for example, theopening ET of the sealing material SL and the sealant ECL are notpresent. Therefore, the opening ET of the sealing material SL and thesealant ECL may be not formed.

Although not shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the arrangement region of thesealing material SL, a narrow, continuous resin layer (second resinlayer indicated by reference sign RSN1 in FIGS. 1A and 1B) is formedalong the longitudinal direction of the sealing material SL on an innercircumference side thereof which is the display region side, and anarrow, continuous resin layer (first resin layer indicated by referencesign RSN3 in FIGS. 1A and 1B) is formed along the longitudinal directionof the sealing material SL at the outer circumference of the sealingmaterial SL which is the side-wall surface portion of the substratesSUB1 and SUB2. Such a configuration will be apparent from thedescription with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B described in detail later.

In the region surrounded by the sealing material SL, the display region(display part) AR is formed such that the outline thereof (indicated bythe dotted line in the drawing) is close to the sealing material SL.Although not shown in the drawing, signal lines connected to thesemiconductor device SEC, switching elements for selecting pixels, pixelelectrodes, and the like are formed in the display region AR on asurface of the substrate SUB1 on the liquid crystal LC side. Althoughnot shown in the drawing, a black matrix, color filters, and the likeare formed in the display region AR on a surface of the substrate SUB2on the liquid crystal LC side.

On the other three sides of the substrate SUB2 excluding the side on thesemiconductor device SEC side, each of the side surfaces is configuredto be flush with a side surface of the sealing material SL and a sidesurface of the substrate SUB2. That is, when viewed in a plane, thesealing material SL is formed with no gap between the side surfaces ofthe substrate SUB1 and the substrate SUB2 so as to reach the sidesurfaces of the substrate SUB1 and the substrate SUB2. With thisconfiguration, a distance (indicated by w in the drawing) from the sidesurfaces of the substrate SUB1 and the substrate SUB2 to the displayregion AR can be greatly reduced, whereby a narrow frame configurationcan be achieved.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a manufacturing method when the sealingmaterial SL is configured as described above for the substrates SUB1 andSUB2. In FIG. 3, multi-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2 are bondedtogether by the sealing material SL. In the display region AR on facingsurfaces of the multi-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2, signal lines, thinfilm transistors, pixel electrodes, color filters, and the like havealready been formed. In the case of FIG. 3, the multi-piece substratesLSB1 and LSB2 are substrates from which, for example, two liquid crystalcells can be taken, for simplifying the description, and therefore thetwo liquid crystal cells are arranged side by side in the drawing. Withthis arrangement, the sealing material SL is formed in a pattern inwhich rectangular frames (each including the opening ET) are arrangedside by side in the drawing. In this case, the sealing material SL isformed into a pattern in which a sealing material (indicated byreference sign SLr in the drawing) on the right in the drawing in therectangular frame on the left in the drawing and a sealing material(indicated by reference sign SL1 in the drawing) on the left in thedrawing in the rectangular frame on the right in the drawing are used incommon. At the stage shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the semiconductor deviceSEC is not yet mounted. However, for facilitating the understanding ofthe correspondence between FIG. 3 and FIG. 2A, the mounting region ofthe semiconductor device SEC is indicated by the two-dot chain line SECin the drawing.

In FIG. 3, the dashed-dotted lines show the cutting positions of themulti-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2. As shown in FIG. 3, the cuttingposition (indicated by reference sign CTL1 in the drawing) of the sideof the multi-piece substrate LSB1 on the side where the semiconductordevice SEC is mounted is different from the cutting position (indicatedby reference sign CTL2 in the drawing) of the side of the multi-piecesubstrate LSB2 on the side where the semiconductor device SEC isexposed. However, on the other three sides excluding the two sides, themulti-piece substrate LSB1 and the multi-piece substrate LSB2 arecollectively cut. Therefore, the cutting positions (indicated byreference sign CTLc in the drawing) of the multi-piece substrate LSB1and the multi-piece substrate LSB2 overlap and coincide with each other.

The multi-piece substrate LSB1 and the multi-piece substrate LSB2 arecollectively cut at substantially the center of the sealing material SLalong the sealing material SL. Therefore, when focusing on the sealingmaterial SL in one liquid crystal cell, the sealing material SLpositioned inside a cutting line for separating the liquid crystal cellis used as the sealing material SL of the liquid crystal cell, while thesealing material SL positioned outside the cutting line is removedtogether with the multi-piece substrate LSB1 and the multi-piecesubstrate LSB2 or is used as a sealing material in another liquidcrystal cell adjacent thereto like the sealing material indicated by SLror SL1 in the drawing.

Returning to FIGS. 2A and 2B, between the substrate SUB1 and thesubstrate SUB2 in the display region AR, columnar spacers PSP are formedin a dispersed manner for setting the gap between the substrate SUB1 andthe substrate SUB2 at a predetermined value. In FIGS. 2A and 2B,although the columnar spacers PSP are shown in part of the displayregion AR, the columnar spacers are formed actually in the entire areaof the display region AR in a uniform distribution. The columnar spacerPSP is formed by selectively etching, for example, a resin layer formedon the surface of the substrate SUB2 on the liquid crystal side by aphotolithography technique. This provides an advantage that the columnarspacer can be formed at a predetermined position with a predeterminedheight. The formation of the columnar spacers PSP is not limited to thesubstrate SUB2 side, but the columnar spacers PSP may be formed on thesubstrate SUB1 side. In FIGS. 2A and 2B, the columnar spacer having arelatively large diameter is illustrated for facilitating itsrecognition. However, the columnar spacer is disposed between adjacentpixels, for example, and therefore has a small diameter.

FIGS. 1A and 1B show a dotted circle portion Q in FIG. 3 in an enlargedscale. FIG. 1A is a plan view, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional viewtaken along line SC-SC of FIG. 1A.

In FIGS. 1A and 1B, on the inner circumference side and the outercircumference side of the forming region of the sealing material SL onthe surface of the multi-piece substrate LSB2 on the liquid crystalside, narrow resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 are respectively formed alongthe longitudinal direction of the sealing material SL. Each of the resinlayers RSN1 and RSN2 is formed in a bank-shape pattern which is closedand continues around the entire circumference of the forming region ofthe sealing material SL. The sealing material SL is applied so as to befilled in the region surrounded by the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2. Withthis configuration, the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 have a function as aweir of the sealing material SL. Therefore, the resin layers RSN1 andRSN2 prevent the sealing material SL from flowing to the display regionAR side, making it possible to keep the forming region of the sealingmaterial SL only within a width W (effective width) in the drawing.Accordingly, an advantage that the distance (indicated by w in FIG. 2A)between the display region AR and the sealing material SL can bedesigned narrow is provided.

The resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 also have a function of preventing theintrusion of the liquid crystal LC into the sealing material SL, forexample. If the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 are not disposed, the liquidcrystal LC reaches the sealing material SL before the sealing materialSL is solidified, the liquid crystal LC intrudes into the sealingmaterial SL, and the effective width of the sealing material SL becomesnarrow. Therefore, the intrusion of the liquid crystal LC into thesealing material SL is blocked by the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 whichare harder than the sealing material SL so that the effective width W ofthe sealing material SL can be kept.

At substantially the center of the forming region of the sealingmaterial SL in the width direction on the surface of the multi-piecesubstrate LSB2 on the liquid crystal side, a narrow resin layer RSN3 isformed along the longitudinal direction of the sealing material SL. Theportion where the resin layer RSM3 is formed serves as a portion alongwhich the multi-piece substrates LSB2 and LSB1 are collectively cut. Aswill be apparent from FIG. 1B, the resin layer RSN3 is formed so as tohave a height less than the gap between the multi-piece substrates LSB2and LSB1 determined by the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2. That is, whereasthe resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 are formed such that the top thereof (endopposite from a fixed end) abuts on the multi-piece substrate LSB1 side,the resin layer RSN3 has substantially half the height of the resinlayers RSN1 and RSN2, and the top thereof is formed so as not to abut onthe multi-piece substrate LSB1 side. With this configuration, a cutsurface between the substrates SUB1 and SUB2 formed by collectivelycutting the multi-piece substrates LSB2 and LSB1 is in a state where theresin layer RSN3 and the sealing material SL are formed in layers fromthe substrate SUB2 side to the substrate SUB1 side. In this case, whenonly the sealing material SL is present (the resin layer RSN3 is notformed) at the cut surface between the multi-piece substrates LSB1 andLSB2 (that is, the cut surface of the liquid crystal display device) atthe position where the multi-piece substrates LSB2 and LSB1 arecollectively cut, there arises a disadvantage that it is difficult toprevent the entry of moisture. When only the resin layer RSN3 is present(the resin layer RSN3 has the same height as that of the resin layersRSN1 and RSN2) at the cut surface between the multi-piece substratesLSB1 and LSB2, there arises a disadvantage that it is difficult tocollectively cut the multi-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2. In view ofthis as described above, the resin layer RSN3 and the sealing materialSL are present separately depending on the regions at the cut surfacebetween the multi-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2, whereby an improvementin cutting performance and the prevention of moisture intrusion can beprovided together. The resin layer RSN3 has greater resistance to theintrusion of moisture than the sealing material SL and fixed to oneside, for example, to the multi-piece substrate LSB2 side. Therefore,the resin layer RSN3 can sufficiently block the intrusion of moisturealso at this fixed portion.

The resin layers RSN1, RSN2, and RSN3 are formed simultaneously when thecolumnar spacer PSP is formed, for example. This makes it possible toavoid an increase in the number of manufacturing steps in forming theresin layers RSN1, RSN2, and RSN3. In this case, the resin layers RSN1and RSN2 have a height greater than that of the resin layer RSN3.However, an intervening layer is disposed between the resin layers RSN1and RSN2 and the multi-piece substrate LSB2, and an intervening layer isnot disposed between the resin layer RSN3 and the multi-piece substrateLSB2, whereby the resin layers RSN1, RSN2, and RSN3 can be easilyconfigured. The intervening layer can be formed of the same material asthat of a material layer (for example, the black matrix or color filter)formed on the multi-piece substrate LSB2 side. However, this is notrestrictive. The resin layer RSN3 may be formed so as to have a heightless than that of the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 without providing theintervening layer and using an identical underlayer in the resin layersRSN1, RSN2, and RSN3.

Although FIGS. 1A and 1B show the part (the dotted circle portion Q inFIG. 3) of the forming region of the sealing material SL between themulti-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2, the other parts of the formingregion of the sealing material SL are formed in a similar manner.However, in a forming region of a sealing material SL (indicated byreference sign SLd in FIG. 3) formed on the side where the semiconductordevice SEC is mounted, the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2 are formed, butthe resin layer PSN3 is not formed. This is because the multi-piecesubstrates LSB1 and LSB2 are not to be collectively cut along thesealing material SL on the side where the semiconductor device SEC ismounted.

Moreover, since FIGS. 1A and 1B show the case where two liquid crystalcells are taken from the multi-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2, the resinlayer RSN2 (the same applies to a resin layer RSN5 in the followingembodiments) does not remain in a liquid crystal cell after themulti-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2 are cut. In FIG. 3, however, whenthe sealing material SL is formed in a pattern which is line-symmetricvertically in the drawing with respect to the side where the opening ETof the sealing material SL is formed so that two by two, that is, fourliquid crystal cells are taken for example, the resin layer RSN2 (thesame applies to the resin layer RSN5 in the following embodiments) has afunction similar to that of the resin layer RSN1 (and a resin layer RSN4in the following embodiments) on the side of a not-shown liquid crystalcell.

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 4A and 4B are configuration views showing a second embodiment of aliquid crystal display device of the invention and correspond to FIGS.1A and 1B, respectively.

The configuration of FIGS. 4A and 4B differs from that of FIGS. 1A and1B in that in a region between the resin layer RSN1 and the resin layerRSN3, a plurality of the resin layers RSN4 are formed along thelongitudinal direction of the region. These resin layers RSN4 are formedso as to have a gap between the adjacent resin layers RSN4, between theresin layer RSN4 and the resin layer RSN1, and between the resin layerRSN4 and the resin layer RSN3. Moreover, in a region between the resinlayer RSN3 and the resin layer RSN2, a plurality of the resin layersRSN5 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the region. Theseresin layers RSN5 are formed so as to have a gap between the adjacentresin layers RSN5, between the resin layer RSN5 and the resin layerRSN3, and between the resin layer RSN5 and the resin layer RSN3. Theheight of the resin layers RSN4 and RSN5 is the same as that of theresin layers RSN1 and RSN2 and greater than that of the resin layerRSN3.

The resin layers RSN4 and RSN5 are disposed to block the intrusion ofliquid crystal, thereby improving an advantage of preventing theintrusion of liquid crystal together with the resin layers RSN1 andRSN2.

Moreover, the resin layers RSN4 and RSN5 are arranged discontinuouslyalong the circumferential direction. Therefore, a reduction in contactarea between the sealing material SL and the multi-piece substrates LSB1and LSB2 is avoided, and the impairment of adhesion between the sealingmaterial SL and the multi-piece substrates LSB1 and LSB2 is prevented.However, this is not restrictive. For example, at least one of the resinlayers RSN4 and RSN5 may be formed continuously in the same manner asthe resin layers RSN1 and RSN2.

Third Embodiment

FIGS. 5A and 5B are configuration views showing a third embodiment of aliquid crystal display device of the invention and correspond to FIGS.1A and 1B, respectively.

The configuration of FIGS. 5A and 5B is different from that of FIGS. 1Aand 1B in the resin layer RSN3. The other parts of the configuration aresimilar to those of FIGS. 1A and 1B. The resin layer RSN3 has the sameheight as that of the resin layers RSN1 and RSN2. The resin layer RSN3has, when viewed in a plane, a plurality of openings OM formed inparallel along the longitudinal direction of the resin layer RSN3. Inthis case, when the sealing material SL is applied, the sealing materialSL is formed by filling not only into the region between the resin layerRSN1 and the resin layer RSN3 and the region between the resin layerRSN3 and the resin layer RSN2 but also inside the openings OM formed inthe resin layer RSN3.

The multi-piece substrates LSB2 and LSB1 are to be collectively cutalong a line (dashed-dotted line) obtained by connecting substantiallythe centers of the openings OM in the resin layer RSN3.

In this case, a cut surface between the substrates SUB1 and SUB2 formedby collectively cutting the multi-piece substrates LSB2 and LSB1 is in astate where the resin layer RSN3 and the sealing material SL arealternately arranged along the circumferential direction of thesubstrates SUB1 and SUB2. Accordingly, since the sealing material SL isformed in addition to the resin layer RSN3 at the cut surface betweenthe substrates SUB1 and SUB2, an improvement in cutting performance canbe achieved, while since the resin layer RSN3 is present in addition tothe sealing material SL, the prevention of moisture intrusion can beachieved.

Fourth Embodiment

FIGS. 6A and 6B are configuration views showing a fourth embodiment of aliquid crystal display device of the invention and correspond to FIGS.5A and 5B, respectively.

The configuration shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B is obtained by makingimprovements to the configuration shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B in the samemanner as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B which is obtained by makingimprovements to the configuration of FIGS. 1A and 1B.

In the same manner as in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the resin layer RSN3 has theplurality of openings OM formed in parallel along the longitudinaldirection of the resin layer RSN3. The sealing material SL is formed byfilling not only into the region between the resin layer RSN1 and theresin layer RSN3 and the region between the resin layer RSN3 and theresin layer RSN2 but also inside the openings OM formed in the resinlayer RSN3.

The plurality of resin layers RSN4 are formed in the region between theresin layer RSN1 and the resin layer RSN3 along the longitudinaldirection of the region. Moreover, the plurality of resin layers RSN5are formed in the region between the resin layer RSN3 and the resinlayer RSN2 along the longitudinal direction of the region. The resinlayers RSN4 and RSN5 have the same height as that of the resin layersRSN1 and RSN2. With this configuration, in the same manner as shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B, an advantage of reliably preventing the intrusion ofliquid crystal can be provided.

Fifth Embodiment

In the above-described embodiments, the resin layers RSN1, RSN2, RSN3,RSN4, and RSN5 are formed on the substrate SUB2 side. However, this isnot restrictive, and the resin layers may be configured on the substrateSUB1 side. Further, some of the resin layers may be formed on thesubstrate SUB2 side, and the remaining resin layers may be formed on thesubstrate SUB1 side.

While the invention has been described by using the embodiments, theconfigurations described in the embodiments are illustratively only. Theinvention can be modified appropriately within a range not departingfrom the technical idea thereof. The configurations described in theembodiments may be used in combination as long as they do not conflictwith each other.

1. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a first substrate and asecond substrate which are disposed to face each other with liquidcrystal interposed therebetween; and a sealing material which isdisposed between the first substrate and the second substrate to sealthe liquid crystal, the first substrate and the second substrate havingside surfaces including a cut surface formed by cutting the firstsubstrate and the second substrate along a portion where the sealingmaterial is disposed, wherein a first resin layer is provided along thesealing material in a region where the sealing material is disposed onthe first substrate or the second substrate, the first resin layer has aheight less than a gap between the first substrate and the secondsubstrate in a display region, and the first resin layer and the sealingmaterial are exposed at the surface where the first substrate and thesecond substrate are cut.
 2. The liquid crystal display device accordingto claim 1, further comprising a columnar spacer in the display regionsurrounded by the sealing material, wherein the columnar spacer isformed on the second substrate side, and the first resin layer is formedon the second substrate side and formed of the same material as that ofthe columnar spacer.
 3. The liquid crystal display device according toclaim 1, wherein a second resin layer is formed apart from the firstresin layer on the display region side of the region where the sealingmaterial is disposed, and the second resin layer has a height greaterthan that of the first resin layer.
 4. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the columnar spacer is formed on thesecond substrate side, and the first resin layer and the second resinlayer are formed on the second substrate side and formed of the samematerial as that of the columnar spacer.
 5. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 4, wherein the second resin layer has a heightgreater than that of the first resin layer due to an intervening layerformed between the second resin layer and the second substrate.
 6. Theliquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein a secondresin layer is formed close to the first resin layer in the region wherethe sealing material is disposed, and the second resin layer has aheight greater than that of the first resin layer and has a plurality ofopenings formed in parallel.
 7. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the columnar spacer is formed on thesecond substrate side, and the first resin layer and the second resinlayer are formed on the second substrate side and formed of the samematerial as that of the columnar spacer.
 8. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 7, wherein the second resin layer has a heightgreater than that of the first resin layer due to an intervening layerformed between the second resin layer and the second substrate.
 9. Aliquid crystal display device comprising: a first substrate and a secondsubstrate which are disposed to face each other with liquid crystalinterposed therebetween; and a sealing material which is disposedbetween the first substrate and the second substrate to seal the liquidcrystal, the first substrate and the second substrate having sidesurfaces including a portion configured of a cut surface formed bycutting the first substrate and the second substrate along a portionwhere the sealing material is disposed, wherein first resin layers whichare discontinuously arranged in parallel along the sealing material areprovided in the region where the sealing material is disposed on thefirst substrate or the second substrate, and the first resin layer andthe sealing material are exposed at the cut surface of the firstsubstrate and the second substrate.
 10. The liquid crystal displaydevice according to claim 9, further comprising a columnar spacer in adisplay region surrounded by the sealing material, wherein the columnarspacer is formed on the second substrate side, and the first resin layeris formed on the second substrate side and formed of the same materialas that of the columnar spacer.
 11. The liquid crystal display deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein a second resin layer is formed apart fromthe first resin layer on a display region side of the region where thesealing material is disposed, and the second resin layer has a heightgreater than that of the first resin layer.
 12. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 11, wherein the columnar spacer isformed on the second substrate side, and the first resin layer and thesecond resin layer are formed on the second substrate side and formed ofthe same material as that of the columnar spacer.
 13. The liquid crystaldisplay device according to claim 12, wherein the second resin layer hasa height greater than that of the first resin layer due to anintervening layer formed between the second resin layer and the secondsubstrate.
 14. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 9,wherein a second resin layer is formed close or adjacent to the firstresin layer in the region where the sealing material is disposed, andthe second resin layer has a height greater than that of the first resinlayer and has a plurality of openings formed in parallel when viewed ina plane.
 15. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 14,wherein the columnar spacer is formed on the second substrate side, andthe first resin layer and the second resin layer are formed on thesecond substrate side and formed of the same material as that of thecolumnar spacer.
 16. The liquid crystal display device according toclaim 15, wherein the second resin layer has a height greater than thatof the first resin layer due to an intervening layer formed between thesecond resin layer and the second substrate.
 17. A manufacturing methodof a liquid crystal display device comprising: applying a sealingmaterial in a pattern which is continuous and closed on a surface of afirst multi-piece substrate; bonding a second multi-piece substrate tothe first multi-piece substrate with a gap via the sealing material; andforming a liquid crystal cell by at least collectively cutting the firstmulti-piece substrate and the second multi-piece substrate along thesealing material in a forming region of the sealing material, wherein aresin layer having a height less than the gap is formed at the cuttingposition in the forming region of the sealing material on at least oneof the first multi-piece substrate and the second multi-piece substratebefore applying the sealing material.
 18. A manufacturing method of aliquid crystal display device comprising: applying a sealing material ina pattern which is continuous and closed on a surface of a firstmulti-piece substrate; bonding a second multi-piece substrate to thefirst multi-piece substrate so as to face each other via the sealingmaterial; and forming a liquid crystal cell by at least collectivelycutting the first multi-piece substrate and the second multi-piecesubstrate along the sealing material in a forming region of the sealingmaterial, wherein a plurality of discontinuous resin layers are formedalong the cutting position at the cutting position in the forming regionof the sealing material on at least one of the first multi-piecesubstrate and the second multi-piece substrate before applying thesealing material.